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As a Dungeon Master, I usually steered clear of heavy use of randomization during my D&D sessions. My preference was for story direction and what happened in a game to be determined by deliberate decisions as opposed to random chance. Recently, I opted to try something different, and I'm incredibly happy with the result.

The Spark: Seeing an Improvised Tool

An influential podcast showcases a DM who frequently calls for "chance rolls" from the adventurers. He does this by choosing a polyhedral and outlining possible results contingent on the result. While it's at its core no unlike consulting a pre-generated chart, these are created spontaneously when a course of events has no clear conclusion.

I decided to try this technique at my own session, mainly because it appeared interesting and presented a break from my usual habits. The experience were remarkable, prompting me to think deeply about the ongoing dynamic between pre-determination and randomization in a roleplaying game.

A Powerful In-Game Example

In a recent session, my group had just emerged from a massive fight. Later, a player asked about two key NPCs—a sibling duo—had made it. Rather than deciding myself, I asked for a roll. I asked the player to roll a d20. The possible results were: on a 1-4, both were killed; a middling roll, a single one succumbed; a high roll, they both lived.

The player rolled a 4. This resulted in a incredibly poignant moment where the party found the bodies of their friends, still clasped together in their final moments. The party held funeral rites, which was uniquely significant due to prior character interactions. In a concluding touch, I improvised that the remains were suddenly transformed, showing a magical Prayer Bead. I rolled for, the bead's contained spell was exactly what the party lacked to resolve another major quest obstacle. One just script this type of perfect moments.

Honing On-the-Spot Skills

This experience led me to ponder if randomization and making it up are actually the core of D&D. Although you are a meticulously planning DM, your skill to pivot need exercise. Adventurers often excel at ignoring the best constructed plots. Therefore, a effective DM needs to be able to think quickly and fabricate scenarios in real-time.

Using on-the-spot randomization is a great way to train these talents without venturing too far outside your comfort zone. The trick is to deploy them for low-stakes decisions that have a limited impact on the overarching story. As an example, I would avoid using it to determine if the central plot figure is a secret enemy. But, I could use it to decide if the characters reach a location moments before a major incident takes place.

Empowering Collaborative Storytelling

Luck rolls also helps maintain tension and create the sensation that the story is alive, progressing based on their actions in real-time. It reduces the perception that they are merely characters in a pre-written story, thereby strengthening the shared foundation of roleplaying.

This approach has long been embedded in the game's DNA. Early editions were filled with encounter generators, which made sense for a playstyle focused on treasure hunting. While modern D&D often focuses on narrative and role-play, leading many DMs to feel they need exhaustive notes, it's not necessarily the only path.

Achieving the Sweet Spot

Absolutely no problem with being prepared. Yet, there is also no problem with letting go and letting the whim of chance to determine certain outcomes in place of you. Authority is a big aspect of a DM's role. We need it to run the game, yet we often struggle to release it, even when doing so could be beneficial.

A piece of recommendation is this: Have no fear of relinquishing a bit of the reins. Try a little chance for smaller details. The result could discover that the unexpected outcome is infinitely more powerful than anything you would have planned in advance.